UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas made history, spoiling by University of the East’s bid for another UAAP fencing season sweep by winning its first-ever women’s championship Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Red Warriors won their 11th straight men’s title while completing a 12-peat in the girls’ division and a ruling the boys side for a 13th season in a row.

But the España-based Female Fencers had other plans.

UST sealed its breakthrough title in dramatic fashion with a thrilling 45-40 win over the UE, in the sabre team final, which turned out to be the title decider.

The Lady Warriors had set the stage for a dramatic conclusion after winning the epee team final in the morning against the Female Fencers, 45-41, leaving both teams tied with two golds heading into the final event.

“This doesn’t feel real honestly right now po talaga, somehow hindi pa rin po siya nag-pa-process sa ‘kin eh. Although I knew po talaga na, before the preparation po talaga, we can do it po; especially po ngayon na strong po ‘yung team namin with Alexa (Larrazabal). Hindi po talaga siya imposible. Well, it was still hard kasi ‘yung last match pa po talaga ‘yung nag-determine kung champions po kami pero I’m just happy po na nag-champion na po kami,” said Jannah Catantan, who emerged as the season MVP.

“Foil was my main event and we lost, so sobrang heartbreaking po talaga ‘yung loss na ‘yon. We knew we could do it, so the goal was to get the gold in that weapon. Pero, ewan ko po, siguro it’s really God’s will na ‘yung pinaka-last event pa po kami talaga nag-gold. ‘Yun po ‘yung strongest team ng UE and we really expected them to get the gold; kami lang po talaga, sobrang lakas lang rin po talaga ng teammates ko. They’re so talented and I know that their fighting spirit is there; it was really God’s will,” added the national team standout.

UST finished the season with a medal tally of three golds, three silvers, and a bronze, while UE settled for second with a 2-2-2 medal tally.

Despite missing Juliana Gomez, University of the Philippines was able to reach the podium, with a medal haul of 1-1-4.

In the men’s competition, the Red Warriors extended their title streak to 11 seasons, with a strong performance from their foil team and three-time MVP Nicollei Felipe, capping the campaign with a dominant 45-30 in the final.

“Sobrang happy po na nakuha pa rin namin at na-continue pa rin po namin ‘yung legacy na naiwan ng mga seniors po namin,” said Felipe, who won both individual and team golds in foil. “Kasi nga before nung event namin, natalo ‘yung women’s po namin, so masakit po para sa ‘min na natalo sila, so, nung nasa likod po kami, bago po kami tawagin, kinausap ko po ‘yung teammates ko na ibigay pa rin namin, huwag muna naming isipin ‘yung nangyari, kailangan naming i-secure ‘yung gold po.”

“Importante ‘yung programa para po isa lang ‘yung way ng lahat eh. Kasi po kung paiba-iba po kami, baka may ibang gumawa ng way para po sa gusto niya. Ngayon po kasi isa lang ‘yung goal ng lahat, isang mind lang, and nasa iisang page lang na nagtutulungan po para mag-champion,” he added.

UP finished in second place with a 2-1-2 record, led by national team standout Miggy Bautista, while La Salle, with Christian Buenventura’s sabre gold, had 1-0-4 finish in third spot.

Meanwhile, James Lim led the Junior Warriors to another championship and bagging a second straight season MVP honors.

Opao Catantan earned her second consecutive MVP honor as UE remained in the girls throne. Catantan’s two gold medals in the individual and team foil events were key to another triumphant run.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado